President Ram Nath Kovind presented Padma awards to 73 individuals, some posthumously, at a ceremony held in the Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday.
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Padma Awardees at Rashtrapati Bhavan today. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
Of these, four were Padma Vibhushan, eight Padma Bhushan and 61 Padma Shri awards for the year 2020, according to a statement issued by the President's office.
The Padma awards are given in three categories -- Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri -- and announced annually on the eve of Republic Day.
The Padma Vibhushan is awarded for exceptional and distinguished service, Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of high order and Padma Shri for distinguished service in any field.
Those awarded Padma Vibhushan were former Union ministers George Fernandes (posthumous), Arun Jaitley (posthumous), Sushma Swaraj (posthumous) and Pandit Chhannulal Mishra, Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocalist.
President Kovind presented Padma Vibhushan to Jaitley (posthumous), the former finance minister, for public affairs.
"An outstanding parliamentarian and a distinguished lawyer, he made significant contributions in judicial reforms, electoral reforms and progressive social & economic legislations," the Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a tweet.
The award was received by Jaitley's wife.
Kovind also presented the Padma Vibhushan to Swaraj (posthumous), the former external affairs minister, for public affairs.
"A visionary leader, deeply rooted in Indian traditions, Smt Swaraj embodied the empowerment of women and was a woman of many firsts," another tweet from the Rashtrapati Bhavan said.
The award was received by Swaraj's daughter.
President Kovind presented Padma Bhushan awards to badminton player P V Sindhu, Dr Anil Prakash Joshi for social work, Dr S C Jamir for public affairs and Mumtaz Ali for spiritualism.
He awarded Padma Shri awards to renowned litterateur of Santali language Damayanti Beshra, television a nd film actress Sarita Joshi, music composer Adnan Sami Khan and actress and filmmaker Kangana Ranaut.
The president also presented Padma Shri to captain of the Indian hockey team Rani and to Dr Raman Gangakhedkar, head of the division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, the Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi, among others.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were among the dignitaries present on the occasion, the statement added.
Please click on the images below for a better look.
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Ms Kangana Ranaut for Art. An Indian film actress and filmmaker, Kangana is widely recognised as an actress par excellence. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to shuttler P V Sindhu during a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, in New Delhi, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: India's first woman Air Marshal Dr Padma Bandopadhyay receives the Padma Shri award, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country, in the field of medicine. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: Singer Adnan Sami honoured with Padma Shri. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Ms Rani for Sports. She is the captain of the Indian women's hockey team and has represented Indian in over 200 matches. She is also a recipient of the Arjuna Award by the Government of India. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan to Sushma Swaraj (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, in New Delhi on Monday. Her daughter Bansuri Swaraj receives the award. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan to Arun Jaitley (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, in New Delhi on Monday. His wife Sangeeta Jaitley receives the award. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Tarundeep Rai for Sports. He is an ace archer and two time Olympian who has brought laurels for the country in various International tournaments. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri S. Ramakrishnan for Social Work. Shri Ramakrishnan is an acclaimed social worker who made 'Amar Seva Sangam', a safe refuge for the differently abled persons in south Tamil Nadu. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan award to Pandit Chhannulal Mishra for Art. Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocalist, Mishra has the distinction of being equally proficient in classical, semi-classical, light music and folk music. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Dr S.C. Jamir for Public Affairs, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. A veteran political leader and Governor of many states, Dr Jamir is one of the founders of the state of Nagaland. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Dr Anil Prakash Joshi for Social Work, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Dr Joshi is founder of Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation and is known for his contribution to social upliftment of rural communities. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Gafurbhai M. Bilakhia for Trade & Industry. Commonly known as Bapuji, he is an eminent Gandhian and a social worker. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Oinam Bembem Devi for Sports at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. She is the former captain of the Indian women's football team and is also known as "Durga of Indian football". Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Raman Gangakhedkar for Science and Engineering. Dr Gangakhedkar is Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Agus Indra Udayana for Social Work. He is the founder of Ashram Gandhi, Bali and has been actively engaged in promoting Gandhian values in Indonesia. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Smt Kaleeshabi Mahaboob for Art. She is a Nadhaswaram Vidwan and has performed Nadhaswaram concerts across the world. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma for Medicine. Dr Sarma is widely recognised as the "Elephant Man of Asia", and is known for his work in the field of wildlife healthcare, management and conservation. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Yadla Gopala Rao for Art. He is a renowned artist especially in the art of Padya Natakam (poetic drama). He is a legend in the mythological play segment. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Madan Singh Chauhan for Art, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He is a renowned Sufi singer from Chhattisgarh. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Shri to Jai Prakash Agarwal for Trade & Industry, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He is Chairman, Surya Roshni Group of Industries and is an able and successful industrialist. He has received several awards and honours for his service to society. Photograph: PTI Photo
IMAGE: External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar interacts with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the Padma Awards ceremony, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah attend the Padma Awards ceremony, in New Delhi on Monday. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan to George Fernandes (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, in New Delhi on Monday. His wife Leila Kabir receives the award. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan to Syed Muazzem Ali (Posthumous) for Public Affairs, in New Delhi on Monday. His wife Tuhfa Zaman Ali receives the award. Photograph: ANI Photo
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Bata Krushna Sahoo for Animal Husbandry. He is known as 'Bata Babu', a fish farmer of excellence. He is an innovative farmer & social worker motivating farmers to practice aquaculture by adopting scientific management practices.Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Sundaram Verma for Social Work. He is the originator of dry-land agro forestry, propagator of agro-biodiversity conservation and rain water harvesting. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi for Literature and Education. He is the founder president of the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society which is engaged in a movement to spread the importance of literature amongst the people of Arunachal Pradesh. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Sheik Mahaboob Subhani. He is a Nadhaswaram Vidwan and has performed Nadhaswaram concerts across the world. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Shyam Sunder Sharma for Art. He is a creative artist in Printmaking art. He has been continuously working in the field of printmaking for the past 60 years. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Dr Vijay Sankeshwar for Trade and Industry. He is the chairman of VRL Group and is also known for his social work and philanthropy. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Smt Trinity Saioo for Agriculture. A school teacher by profession, she motivated farmers to grow Lakadong variety of Turmeric in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Chinthala Venkat Reddy for Agriculture. He is an innovator in natural farming and has patented sustainable, eco-friendly low cost high-yielding agricultural processes. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Shri Shahbuddin Rathod for Literature and Education. He is an educationist, philosopher and writer. He is a well known international humorist. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
IMAGE: President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Kumari Sabarmatee for Agriculture. Popularly known as 'Tiki apa', she is the co-founder of Sambhav, an organisation dedicated to environment and gender issues. She is also known for organic farming and biodiversity conservation. Photograph: Rashtrapatibhvn/Twitter
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff.com
